Arsenal's defense is one of the best in the Premier League's recent history. It is by far the best in Europe at the moment, and there is a case to be made for them to improve even further in future games.
They have some of the best players in world football in that position, but it is also the backups that they have in place for players like William Saliba and Gabriel, whenever they are injured or want to take a breather.
Arsenal have had historically good defenses in the last few years, but this year, they really seem to have taken it up a notch.
William Saliba was asked about this recently, and his answer about what is different for this specific year is much simpler than you think.
William Saliba reveals what’s really changed in Arsenal’s defense this season
It is not just the personnel. It is not just the system. It is also the mentality, according to the Frenchman.
He said: “I think the mentality has changed. When I arrived, we were good defensively, but we have definitely improved every year. That's the mentality. Every defender who steps up, who arrives at this club, is good.
“They just click quickly because we are all good and we all understand each other. When we play with good players, it's easier, but we are lucky to have good defenders, good midfielders, and as well our forwards who help us to defend as well.
“It’s not easy, you have to pick the right players and I think the board and the people at the club have done a good job to sign some good defenders and good players.”
It is the culmination of everything, but the mental side of things is so much more important than actually presumed.
It is clear that Arsenal are in a much better position right now compared to last season, or even the year before that, where they would fall short in some tests even though it was expected that the Gunners would win.
Those slumps are still happening sometimes, and that is normal, but Arsenal's floor has risen by a big margin, and that is largely due to the defensive solidity that Arsenal boast now.
The next man up mentality is going to take this brilliant Arsenal squad very, very far, and it remains to be seen just how much they can achieve together as a group, when everyone is gelled up even more, and the injured players return to full fitness.